Cost-benefit analysis of scarification in the boreal forest

Abstract

Soil scarification is a site preparation method that improves growing conditions for seedlings. The practice has associated benefits and costs putting its feasibility into question within the boreal forest. The costs include aspects of environmental degradation in that it causes increased runoff impacting hydrological features and decreases microbial activity within the soil. Additionally, there are economic costs associated with the practice being the cost to purchase, maintain, and fuel scarification machinery, as well as operator wages. This is offset by greatly increased success rates of regeneration. Seedlings experience expedited growth in both the short and long term as well as decreased mortality rates. Ultimately, the benefits of scarification do outweigh the cost in the majority of scenarios within the boreal forest making it a feasible practice. Sites where the benefits may be expected to be dampened include sites with shallow soils, thin organic layers, excessive slope, or sites implementing natural regeneration rather than seeding or planting.